Interview with Aleksey Vlasov

In an interview to RT, Aleksey Vlasov, the Director of the analytical Centre for Post-Soviet Studies, said the election is unlikely to change the balance of political forces in Ukraine.

Russia Today: In your view, what parties are most likely to come out on top?

Aleksey Vlasov: I think we’ll see four parties in parliament: the Communist Party, Yushchenko’s bloc, Timoshenko’s bloc and the Party of Regions. The situation is developing dynamically, though, so it would be hard to predict something exactly. Besides, the confrontation between Yushchenko, Timoshenko and and Yanukovich is to a large extent subjective and has to do with their personal ambitions. The failure to fulfill promises are the main problem with all of them. As it often happens in Ukraine, today they are friends and tomorrow they are enemies.

RT: Will the election finally resolve the political deadlock in the country?

A.V.: I believe the political crisis will not come to an end after this election. Although a coalition will be created, it is unlikely to be stable. Everyone in Ukraine is tired of a permanent political crisis in the country but the problem is that there’s no political power in Ukraine capable of consolidating people.

RT: How will the outcome of the election affect Russian-Ukrainian relations?

A.V.: Russia wants to see a stable Ukraine. Stable relations with the country are in no way guaranteed, however, as there are no real pro-Russian forces in Ukraine. Those who claim to be pro-Russian only use this in their political rhetoric.

RT: What are your predictions for the outcome of the vote?

A.V.: In my opinion, the Party of Regions will get 30 per cent of the votes, Yushchenko’s bloc 15 per cent, Timoshenko’s bloc 22 or 23 per cent and the Communist Party 4 per cent.